Blog Archives

Resurrection of Our Lord: Easter Day March 31, 2024

3/31/2024

Readings: Acts 10:34-43/ Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 / 1 Corinthians 15:1-11/ Mark 16:1-8

Introduction: Christ is risen! Jesus is alive, and God has swallowed up death forever. With Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, we may feel astonished and confused, unsure of what to make of the empty tomb. But this is why we gather: to proclaim, witness, praise, and affirm the liberating reality of Christ’s death and resurrection. In word and feast, we celebrate God’s unending love, and depart to share this good news with all the world. Alleluia!

Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson

Audio-Only Version

2024-03-31_copyright_info.pdf
File Size:	63 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Good Friday Friday, March 29, 2024

3/29/2024

Come worship with us as we recall the passion and death of Jesus, the Christ.

Audio Only Version

2024-03-29_copyright_info.pdf
File Size:	81 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Palm Sunday March 24, 2024

3/24/2024

Readings: Psalm 118:1-2; 19-29 / John 12:12-16

Introduction: This week, the center of the church’s year, is one of striking contrasts: Jesus rides into Jerusalem surrounded by shouts of glory, only to be left alone to die on the cross, abandoned by even his closest friends. Mark’s gospel presents Jesus in his complete human vulnerability: agitated, grieved, scared, forsaken. Though we lament Christ’s suffering and all human suffering, we also expect God’s salvation: in the wine and bread, Jesus promises that his death will mark a new covenant with all people. We enter this holy week thirsty for the completion of God’s astonishing work.

Sermon: Pastor Debbie McAllister

Audio-Only Version

2024-03-24_copyright_info.pdf
File Size:	95 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Fifth Sunday in Lent March 17, 2024

3/17/2024

Readings: Jeremiah 31:31-34/ Psalm 51:1-12/ Hebrews 5:5-10/ John 12:20-33

Introduction: God promises Jeremiah that a “new covenant” will be made in the future: a covenant that will allow all the people to know God by heart. The church sees this promise fulfilled in Christ, who draws all people to himself when he is lifted up on the cross. Our baptismal covenant draws us to God’s heart through Christ and draws God’s love and truth into our hearts. We join together in worship, sharing in word, song, and meal, and leave strengthened to share God’s love with all the world.

Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson

Audio-Only Version

2024-03-17_copyright_info.pdf
File Size:	63 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Fourth Sunday in Lent March 10, 2024

3/10/2024

Readings: Numbers 21:4-9 / Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22/ Ephesians 2:1-10/ John 3:14-21
Introduction: The fourth of the Old Testament promises providing a baptismal lens this Lent is the promise God makes to Moses: those who look on the bronze serpent will live. In today’s gospel Jesus says he will be lifted up on the cross like the serpent, so that those who look to him in faith will live. When we receive the sign of the cross in baptism, that cross becomes the sign we can look to in faith for healing, for restored relationship to God, for hope when we are dying.

Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson

Audio-Only Version

2024-03-10_copyright_info.pdf
File Size:	62 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Third Sunday in Lent March 3, 2024

3/3/2024

Readings: Exodus 20:1-17 / Psalm 19 / John 2:13-22
Introduction: The third covenant in this year’s Lenten readings is the central one of Israel’s history: the gift of the law to those God freed from slavery. The commandments begin with the statement that because God alone has freed us from the powers that oppressed us, we are to let nothing else claim first place in our lives. When Jesus throws the merchants out of the temple, he is defending the worship of God alone and rejecting the ways commerce and profit-making can become our gods. The Ten Commandments are essential to our baptismal call: centered first in God’s liberating love, we strive to live out justice and mercy in our communities and the world.

Sermon: Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson